Is Addiction a Disease Or a Choice: an Analysis of Assumptions

Researchers, physicians, educators, and members of the general society all have diverse assumptions about addiction. These assumptions include moral, political, and scientific ideas. A common assumption or a question is addiction a disease or a choice. In this essay we will take a closer analysis of this assumption and what agruments can be for or against it. 

Many individuals believe that addiction is an issue of morals and self-control that can be solved by punishment. The opponent-process theory states that individuals consume drugs for pleasure and continue to use them to avoid withdrawal systems. Getting sick becomes the punishment and drugs the rewards. This implies that drugs are the sole component of this issue. Although this makes since it is often considered too simplistic. Many individuals believe that simply sustaining from drug use does not alleviate all the issues or consequences. They believe individuals are suffering from a neurological disease caused by genetic brain abnormalities and that it is not entirely in their control. 

According to the disease model, addiction is a disease characterized by abnormalities in structure and function in the brain. This causes people with these abnormalities to become addicted to a substance once they are exposed to it. An important question is whether the drugs or the individual’s susceptibility, background, perception, and genes have a greater impact on these negative outcomes. Assuming that certain individuals have a predisposition to addiction is assuming negative outcomes are more dependent on that individual than the use of the drug itself. These assumptions have huge implications for how we view people with addiction and how to handle addiction through policy. 

Another set of competing assumptions is that drugs immediately hook victims. This assumption infers that limiting people’s exposure to drugs will limit their chance of getting addicted. On the other hand, it is often considered that individuals with significant problems are more likely to self-medicate. There is no question that drugs play a role in addiction, but perhaps personal characteristics play a greater role than mere exposure to a particular substance in whether an individual becomes addicted. Some people believe that drugs alter individuals and lead them to become fixated on a certain drug while others believe individuals with issues will be more likely to seek out drugs. It is often assumed that drugs are inherently dangerous. Drugs cause overdoses, disease, and, dangerous behavior. Other individuals believe that many factors affect the dangers of drugs. Certain means of taking drugs and circumstances surrounding them are what makes them dangerous. There is a common assumption that the war on drugs leads to more dangerous ways of administering drugs and makes it harder to obtain clean drugs, resources, and medical attention when necessary. The “iron law of prohibition” states prohibition leads to higher dosage levels and more dangerous means of administration. This brings alcohol prohibition to mind which turned Americans who once were beer drinkers into heavy whisky drinkers. It is commonly assumed that drugs cause crime. When individuals use drugs, they are more likely to commit crimes based on their altered state of mind or to fall into a life of crime. Others assume that criminals are more likely to use illegal substances. The war on drugs creates a black market and often is what causes crime, corruption, and disease. Using the drug itself turns individuals into criminals because it is an illegal act. The inflated black-market prices cause individuals to turn to drug dealing, prostitution, and other crimes to support their addiction. These people are not rejecting the rules of society they are simply trying to maintain their habit. Many individuals think it unlikely that a drug changes a person’s personality and more likely that people commiting crimes are likely to use. 

It is important to note that addiction is a complex condition that results from a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. It is not just a matter of choice. However, some people may perceive addiction as a choice because individuals with addiction have the ability to make choices that affect their behavior, such as choosing to engage in drug use or seeking help to stop using drugs. Additionally, some people may believe that addiction is a choice because individuals can make choices that may increase their risk of developing addiction, such as choosing to use drugs or alcohol in social settings or to cope with stress. However, it is important to recognize that addiction is a disease that requires medical and psychological treatment, and individuals struggling with addiction should not be blamed or shamed for their condition.

To conclude, an assumption that everyone can agree on is addiction is detrimental to individuals and societies. Addiction is a complex disease with no easy solutions. Further research and understanding is necessary for our society to combat addiction. Strategies must be implemented to help individuals suffering from addiction to recover, cope, and be implemented back into society. Creating a more concrete definition of addiction exclusive of all moral arguments would be beneficial. Further research on both the social and neurological aspects of addiction will allow a stronger, more dynamic understanding. One thing all researchers can agree on is that further understanding of addiction is mandatory to develop strategies and render help to those suffering.